- Family and Society
- Conversion
Jewish Belonging - - -
Question
Dear Rabbi,
My first name and family name are of Jewish origin and as far as I can look back in time, I have always felt attachment and belonging to the nation of Israël.
My parents do not seem curious about this but my feelings are becoming stronger and painful with time.
A genealogy research could lead to a negative result, which would be painful and destructive for me.
A positive result would be incredibly wonderful but it would also show me clearly how "unpure" I’m.
Should I keep on living with this "question" and do my best to sanctify myself with G-d.’s help or should I go through this genealogy research, no matter what the results will be?
I thank you in advance for taking some of your time to share a thought with me.
Answer
Jewish national affiliation is matrilineal; in other words if your mother is Jewish- so are you, whether or not your father was Jewish. Therefore, your family name, passed to you from your father and to him from his father is no indication of your Jewishness. If you want to be Jewish, learn more about Judaism through reading or discussing the matter with an Orthodox rabbi. It is not who your fathers were that counts, but rather who you are.
Is a ger with a Levi father a Levi?
Rabbi Gideon Weitzman | Elul 26, 5783

tzadikim - non jewish
Rabbi David Sperling | Tevet 6, 5782

Conversion of Jews by Moslems & Christians
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Av 4, 5781

inheritance of a convert
Rabbi David Sperling | Tevet 10, 5775

Rabbi Jonathan Blass
Rabbi of Neve Tzuf and Rosh Kollel "Ratzon Yehuda".

Yizkor for a Ger
23 Tishrei 5763

Aliyah Latorah for a Non Cohen
14 Tishrei 5763

Yom Tov Sheini vs. Work
14 Tishrei 5763

Calling In-Laws Name
16 Tishrei 5763

Visiting a cemetery on Yom Kippur
Various Rabbis | 18 Tishrei 5768

Exercise on Shabbat
Rabbi Jonathan Blass | 9 Nisan 5763

Food, medications and Yom Kippur
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Av 13, 5780

Mezzuzah for Non Jew
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 18, 5773

Original Passover Meal
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Tishrei 3, 5784

Urgent School Project
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Elul 25, 5783
Is a ger with a Levi father a Levi?
Rabbi Gideon Weitzman | Elul 26, 5783
